Wimbledon F: Andy Murray vs Novak Djokovic

When I played today the courts were dead, granted it was at 12 midday so people will have been in work / School. I imagine they were busier in the evening.. on Monday night me and my dad very nearly didn't get a court and there's 6 of them.

The Final is currently being replayed in a neighbours garden with 2 bats and a ball between 6 year old twins who usually argue football between Liverpool and Everton - both want to be Andy Murray against Novak Djokovic. Couldn't resist a proud smile.

The Final is currently being replayed in a neighbours garden with 2 bats and a ball between 6 year old twins who usually argue football between Liverpool and Everton - both want to be Andy Murray against Novak Djokovic. Couldn't resist a proud smile.

The Final is currently being replayed in a neighbours garden with 2 bats and a ball between 6 year old twins who usually argue football between Liverpool and Everton - both want to be Andy Murray against Novak Djokovic. Couldn't resist a proud smile.

That's brilliant! .

I hope very much that kids do become enthused by what they've seen Andy do, and that people within the game, the LTA, the clubs and such, do everything possible to enable kids to play.

You don't get the Andy Murray's of this world at the top unless there are kids, lots of them, playing, at the bottom.

The tennis club I go to have had a great idea, all the outdoor courts are free on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from now on. With this hot weather I bet they see a rise in people wanting to play tennis. It's all on the up now I feel.

For once there were no tears. Instead, Andy Murray and Sue Barker shared a moment of pure joy on Centre Court last week. For Murray, it was his greatest day. For Barker, the pinnacle of what has become an extraordinary career in broadcasting.

‘It was absolutely fantastic, the greatest day I’ve had in broadcasting,’ says Barker from her home in the Cotswolds.

‘Tennis is in my heart and blood and I’d never thought I’d see that. Last year at the Olympics, I walked away from the Park thinking ‘I’m never again going to experience the joy I’ve just felt in the past three weeks’. And then this happened. It was without a doubt the greatest sporting event I have witnessed.’

Few would disagree and for Barker and Murray it was quite the contrast to the tears that followed the 2012 defeat by Roger Federer and their conversation about the Dunblane shooting during the pre-Wimbledon BBC documentary.

‘Andy said to me that every time he sees me he cries,’ says Barker with a chuckle. ‘In that documentary, it really surprised me.

'When he talked about Dunblane, I was looking over at our producer saying ‘please stop this’. I wanted them to cut and she kept shaking her head.

'I think she knew that deep down he wanted to say it whereas I was thinking how awful it was. No-one realised just how much it affected him and Jamie. You can understand why he hasn’t talked about it before.

But maybe in the documentary he could think more about it than in a press conference, take his time. And he was in his home with his dogs there. It was so moving. He’s such an amazing young man.’

Part of being ‘amazing’ was of course that straight sets win over Novak Djokovic on Sunday, something Barker feels has made Murray the best player on the tour.

‘I’ve been doing it for so many years now that I don’t feel nervous professionally. But that last game was nerve-wracking. I was in a small room courtside with the American television and I was so nervous for him.

'It was then such a pleasure to go out on court and say those words. It was incredibly special to be on Centre Court and be part of it.

'To tell a global audience it’s been 77 years and here you go was fantastic. You could see how much of a haze he was in. I can understand why he couldn’t remember much of what happened near the end.

'He didn’t know whose hands he was slapping or where his mum was. He couldn’t take in the enormity of it all.

‘He is just an extraordinary player and athlete. The manner in which he won, beating the world No 1, was awesome. He holds two of the Grand Slams and the Olympic gold.

'He’s the one everyone needs to beat now. I know he’ll manage his body and career now with regards to how many tournaments he plays so No 1 might take a bit longer.

'But you are always remembered for how many Slams you win, not weeks at No 1. If he carries on the way he’s going, there are many more to come.

‘Because I got to know the whole team — and they are normally very private — it did make it extra special.

'I spent time with him in Miami, watched him train, the gym. I’ve interviewed him so many times but it was nice to talk about other things rather than always having a microphone on.

'He’s such a nice guy and I have huge respect for him. Him, Kim, his family - it couldn’t have happened to a nicer bunch of people.’

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So what chances of Barker ever interviewing another victorious British man at Wimbledon in the future?

‘I don’t see it at the moment but I didn’t see it in Andy. He was an amazing 17-year-old but if you’d said to me ‘is he going to be a future world No 1?’ - which he will be — I’d have said he was going to be a top 20 player.

'Someone from the LTA should, if Andy’s willing, make a video of how hard you have to train to become a Grand Slam champion. It blew my mind how hard he works.

'Some players came out to train with him and they couldn’t walk after three days. It would be great to show British hopefuls the sort of training they will need to do. Not everyone will want to do it. Some might settle for being in the top 200 or wherever. It’s important to show kids what it takes.’

Thoughts, glad it did not go longer in the match, glad it went Andy's way, glad he did not win it previously as his game has improved (although it was sore at the time) and seems more sustainable now, Glad for the Olympics to get him back on the horse last year, Andy No.1? not quite yet. Novak although I have never liked the man is king of the castle (abet close) he now has my respect after this final. Even I feel there is something unnerving about his hair.

I know I wasn't physically at the event, and it is nearly two weeks after the historic day, but I have just ordered a copy of the programme for the Wimbledon final. Look forward to reading that, even though it's very old news now!

I know I wasn't physically at the event, and it is nearly two weeks after the historic day, but I have just ordered a copy of the programme for the Wimbledon final. Look forward to reading that, even though it's very old news now!